Lake Como is a large lake in northern Italy surrounded by charming towns and one of Italy’s most popular day trip destinations. Here’s my honest review and firsthand tips.
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🍀 Lukiih’s Verdict
I highly recommend visiting Lake Como when in Italy. The day trip is a lovely escape from the country’s bustling cities.
- A day at the lake is enough time to enjoy the idyllic scenery, blue water, villas, and beautiful gardens.
- After accounting for train and ferry transportation, food, and attractions, the day trip is moderately priced.
- Minimal preparation is required, as you mainly need to figure out transportation and don’t have to worry too much about getting advanced tickets.
Planning a trip? Here’s what to know about Italy.
🏆 Where Does It Rank?
A day trip to Lake Como ranks as my #3 thing to do in Italy. Here’s how it compares to other experiences on my trip:
My Italy itinerary features the above experiences.
✈️ About My Trip
For context on my review, here’s what to know about my trip:
- I finance my trips and don’t receive sponsorship; this review reflects my honest opinions.
- This post has updated 2024 information, but I visited Lake Como in 2022.
- My Italy trip was in May when it was less crowded and expensive.
🦄 Uniqueness: High
The Uniqueness Score is based on how rare and memorable an experience is.
Rarity: Rare
Visiting Lake Como is a rare experience – I estimate fewer than 10 comparable lakes exist worldwide.
- It’s one of the world’s most famous lakes, with stunning scenery and exceptionally picturesque towns.
- It’s known as Italy’s deepest lake and a popular film location. It’s been featured in movies like Star Wars, Casino Royale, and Ocean’s Twelve.
- Other lakes have breathtaking scenery and villages, but the villages vary in style. These include Slovenia’s Lake Bled, Austria’s Lake Hallstatt, Switzerland’s Lake Geneva, and France’s Lake Annecy.
Memorability: High
Visiting Lake Como is one of my most memorable experiences in Italy.
- It has several attractions, such as castles and villas, from which you can take in the natural scenery from a high vantage point. I visited Varenna and Bellagio, the two most unique towns, and found them exceptionally charming.
- The lake is known for water activities, but many are unavailable if you visit during the low season, like I did.
See below for the best times to visit.
😊 Enjoyment: Moderate
The Enjoyment Score is based on how much happiness and reward an experience provides.
Happiness: High
I found visiting Lake Como fun and delightful.
- There are many beautiful things to see. The towns around the lake are all picturesque, and some have quieter environments.
- Due to the lake’s wishbone-like shape, the most efficient way to get around is by ferry. The journeys between towns can be unpleasant if you have motion sickness like me.
Reward: Low
Visiting Lake Como is not a particularly rewarding experience.
- It has been a popular day trip destination for centuries, so it’s very accessible and not particularly enriching or challenging to visit.
💰 Value: Moderate
The Value Score is determined by the price divided by the duration of an experience. All prices mentioned here are in USD.
Cost Estimate: $90 PP
A day trip to Lake Como costs about $70 to $150, depending on the activities you do and how many towns you visit. At about $90 per person for a full-day trip, I consider this experience moderately priced.
If you want to plan less, well-rated Lake Como day trip tours are available.
Lukiih Spent: $62
I spent $62 in Lake Como, and below is my breakdown. My total cost is lower because I only paid for a few activities and attractions.
| Expense Category | Total Cost |
|---|---|
| 🍝 Food | $33 |
| 🚇 Train from Milan | $14 |
| ⛴️ Ferry rides | $10 |
| 🏰 Attraction | $5 |
See my Italy trip expenses.
🎒 Preparation: Minimal
The Preparation Score is based on the required skills & fitness, transportation, and bookings & packing. The higher the score, the less preparation is needed.
Skills & Fitness: None
You don’t need any skills or fitness to visit Lake Como.
- No special skills are required.
- You’ll have to explore the towns on foot but can move at your own pace.
Transportation: Moderate
Lake Como is located in the Lombardy region in northern Italy. Many of the lake’s small towns are accessible by train.
- The best way to get there is by Italy’s excellent train infrastructure.
- Getting to the lake from Milan, the closest major city, takes 1-2 hours, depending on which town you’re going to. I took a Trenitalia train from Milan, and the journey to Varenna took 90 minutes.
Read on for how to get around.
Booking & Packing: Minimal
To visit Lake Como, you’ll need minimal booking and packing:
- Some attractions require tickets you can pay at the door.
- You don’t need to book anything in advance unless you’re considering a day trip tour.
- If you plan to explore a lot, wear comfortable shoes and bring a swimsuit for water activities in the summer.
How To Guide & Tips
Interested in visiting Lake Como after reading my review? Below is a practical how-to guide and firsthand tips.
When To Visit
The best time to visit Lake Como depends on what you want to prioritize.
| Season | Months | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| 🍃 Spring | Apr-Jun | – Great for fewer crowds – Weather hits highs of 70 °F |
| ☀️ Summer | Jul-Aug | – Peak season, so crowded – Hot and humid (65-85 °F) – Great for water activities |
| 🍂 Fall | Sep-Oct | – Great for fewer crowds – Temperatures of 50-75 °F |
| ❄️ Winter | Nov-Mar | – Off-season – Some businesses are closed – Temperatures of 38-50 °F |
I visited in May and had to wear a light puff jacket and long pants during my trip.
Towns & Villages
More than ten towns and villages surround Lake Como.
- 🥇 Most popular – The three most famous towns are Bellagio, Varenna, and Como. The former two are known to be the most unique and picturesque towns.
- 🪴 Villa-focused – Some small towns and villages have only one main attraction, which is usually a villa. Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo, Villa del Balbianello in Lenno, and Villa d’Este in Cernobbio are good examples.
If you enjoy looking at villas, you can take a highly-rated boat trip that passes by famous ones.
- 🤫 Quieter towns – Some smaller towns do not have a must-see attraction, but they’re still beautiful and a good option if you want fewer crowds, especially during the high season. Menaggio, Lecco, and Nesso are good examples.
How To Get Around
Aside from walking, there are four ways to get around Lake Como:
- 🛥️ Ferry – Public ferries, operated by Navigaziones Laghi, are one of the most efficient and affordable ways to get around, especially if you’re trying to cross the lake in the central area.
Double-check the departure gate with the ferry employees because the port signs are not always accurate. A handful of visitors and I missed one of our boats because we stood next to the wrong gate, so we had to wait another 40 minutes for the next ferry.
- 🚌 Bus – ASF provides bus service around the lake. There are several routes, and bus ticket prices vary by the length of the journey.
The easiest way to board an ASF bus is to pay cash on the bus, so make sure to have small euro bills or coins, as the driver won’t provide change.
- 🚂 Train – You can travel by train to mainly visit the eastern side, which includes Varenna and Como. The western side, which includes Bellagio, is more challenging to get to by train.
- 🚕 Taxi or Uber – This is the most expensive but fastest way to get around on land. Taxis are waiting at major bus stops and train stations, but they are rare in some areas. One of my friends staying in Cernobbio had to wait 45 minutes for a taxi after her hotel called it.
If you want to minimize planning, you can outsource all your planning by going on a well-rated Lake Como day trip tour.
Itinerary: Varenna and Bellagio
This itinerary explores the two most picturesque and unique towns and is an improved version of what I did. I’ve included suggested times for each activity based on my firsthand experience.
| Morning | ||
| 🚆 | Take the train from Milan to Varenna | 10–11:30 am |
| 🏰 | Explore Castello di Vezio | 12–12:45 pm |
| Afternoon | ||
| 👟 | Explore Varenna’s town area | 1:15–1:45 pm |
| 🌷 | Visit Villa Monastero | 1:45–2:45 pm |
| 🛥️ | Take a ~3 pm ferry to Bellagio | 3–3:15 pm |
| 🍦 | Explore Bellagio’s town area | 3:15–4:30 pm |
| 💧 | Walk down Bellagio’s waterfront | 4:30–5 pm |
| 👟 | Walk to Bellagio’s east side | 5–5:30 pm |
| 🍦 | Grab a snack before heading back | 5:30–5:55 pm |
| Evening | ||
| 🛥️ | Take the 5:55 pm ferry back to Varenna | 5:55–6:10 pm |
| 🚆 | Take the train back to Milan | 6:30–8 pm |
📍 Varenna
Varenna is the lake’s most romantic town, with narrow streets, colorful buildings, and breathtaking views. Here are its top attractions:
- Castello di Vezio – A medieval castle with spectacular views and my favorite attraction in Varenna. Check the current price.
- Villa Monastero – One of Varenna’s most notable attractions. The villa features lake views and one of the area’s best botanical gardens. Check the current price.
- Varenna’s town center – The center has two scenic spots: the Walk of Lovers and Molo Riva Grande. The waterfront has cafes and restaurants where you can grab a quick bite.
📍 Bellagio
Bellagio, sometimes called the “Pearl of Lake Como,” is considered the most beautiful town. Here are its top attractions:
- Old Town – A highlight for visitors, the town center is a happening place lined with shops, restaurants, and cafes. This famous street is particularly scenic.
- Promenade – Bellagio’s promenade offers stunning views of the lake.
- East side – The east side shows the town’s calmer and quieter side. While making your way over, you pass by colorful houses, gardens, and cobblestone stairs. Here’s a scenic spot.
Italy Trip Planner 2024
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